From March 13–15, 2026, we held the Marvel Men Challenge Weekend in California. Here are some reflections from the participants:

Brother Qi:
Before coming, my biggest concern was that it might affect my business. As a team leader, I also felt the responsibility to set an example. But I never expected that the Lord, who knows my heart, would not only give me strength to serve others, but also help my wife successfully close a sales deal. It was truly incredible. I realized that God never delays or disrupts what truly matters. Jesus is truly risen, and entrusting my life to Him gives me deep peace.

Brother Bill:
My wife has not yet believed in the Lord or attended church, and my child is only one and a half years old. Being able to attend this event was already a miracle. I’m also more introverted and didn’t share much of my personal story. But as I listened to other brothers open their hearts, I saw that Jesus’ presence is real and trustworthy. I’ve been striving for a stable job and higher income, studying hard for exams because life in the Bay Area is stressful… Yet through this experience, I truly encountered the Lord. I am willing to support this ministry.

Brother Steve:
I was the oldest participant at this event, nearly 40 years older than the youngest brother. Yet I didn’t feel out of place at all. Instead, I was able to fully engage in every session and sincerely connect with each person. I thank the Lord for using these young men to help me understand myself more deeply and hear His calling once again. I have decided to begin a new chapter in my life. I’ve also joined Coach Simon’s daily “4321 Fitness Circle.” In less than a month, I’ve already experienced noticeable changes. I want to worship God with a healthy body.

Brother Mason:
I was baptized only three months ago and don’t know much yet. But I deeply feel that God has brought me into a completely different kind of relationship—one that is sincere and safe. I’m willing to continue walking with the Lord and growing together with the brothers in unity.

Brother Peter:
Although I am young, I’ve gone through quite a lot. Whenever I face challenges, I pray and ask God for help. But during this retreat—through the campfire, hiking, conversations, and discussions—I saw God’s guidance more clearly. I gained a deeper understanding of the calling and responsibility of a Christian man, and it has laid a foundation for my future marriage.

Brother Steven:
Before coming, I had a disagreement with my girlfriend, and I couldn’t let it go, but I felt too embarrassed to share it with others. Unexpectedly, on the very first night of the retreat, she called me to reconcile. I was also able to express my apology to her. I truly felt the love of Jesus flowing among us. Thank the Lord! I am willing to change—not just for my girlfriend, but to testify that Jesus Christ is risen.

Coach Simon:
I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to get to know these young people—to understand their world, feel their struggles, and appreciate their emotions. I realized that I am not only their coach, but also their friend. Being able to walk closely with them and enter into their lives is the greatest gift God has given me.

2026年3月13日至-15日 我们在加州举办了奇妙男人挑战周末活动。这是参加者感言：

齐弟兄：
来之前我最担心的是耽误生意，我又是队长，需要以身作则。但是我真是没想到，我的主知道我的心，祂不单是赐给我力量服事大家，并且帮助我的太太完成了一单销售任务，简直不可思议。我意识到，神从来不误事！耶稣真的复活了，将生命交给祂掌管，我很踏实。

Bill弟兄：
我的妻子还没有信主，也没有去教会，孩子才一岁半，我帮够参加这次活动，已经是神迹了，可是我有点内向，也没有太多的分享生命故事。但是当我听到其他弟兄敞开心扉的分享之后，我看见了耶稣的陪伴是真实可信的。我想有刚好的工作，更多的收入，我正在很努力考试，为了更好的生活，因为在湾区压力很大…然而，透过这次体验，我真实的遇见了我的主，我愿意支持这项事工！

Steve弟兄：
我是这次活动中的年龄最大的一位，与最年轻的弟兄相差近40岁，但是我并没有感受的不自然，反而很真实的投入每一个环节、认真对待每一个人，感谢主，神使用他们年轻人，使我更认识自己，也再次听见主的呼召，我决定要开始一段人生新的旅程。我现在已经参加Simon教练每天的4321健身圈了，不到一个月，就有感受到明显的变化，我要用健康身体来敬拜神！

Mason弟兄：
我受洗才三个月，知道的不多，但是我却深深感受到神给我带来完全不一样的关系，真诚而安全，我愿意继续与主同行，与弟兄们彼此同心，一起成长。

Peter弟兄：
虽然我的年纪轻，但是经历却不少。每次遇到挑战，我都会祷告，求神帮助。但是这次我却在篝火、徒步、聊天、讨论当中看见了神的带领，更清晰了基督男人的呼召与责任，为未来的婚姻奠定了基础。

Steven弟兄：
来之前我和女友发生了一点争执，我心里放不下，但是又不好意思告诉大家。没想到，在开营第一天的晚上，她就主动来电话与我和好，我也表达了对她的歉意，我感受到耶稣的爱正在我们中建流动。感谢主！我愿意改变自己，不只是为了女友，更是见证耶稣是基督的复活。

Simon教练：
我非常感恩，有机会可以认识青年人，了解他们的世界，感受他们的烦恼，懂得他们的情感。我发现我不单单是帮助他们的教练，更是他们的朋友，我能够贴近他们的生活，进入他们的生命，这就是神给我最好的礼物！

我们一起来，健康挡不住；
每日十分钟，挑战舒适圈！

你真的重视自己的健康吗？ 每天24小时，除了睡觉之外你有多少时间关注你的身体——圣灵的殿呢？

如果你工作8小时，就是480分钟，身体辛苦啦！ 你愿意拿出多少时间来保养爱护自己呢？
10%=48分钟；5%=24分钟；
好吧！亲爱的弟兄姐妹，耶稣要带着祂的门徒去旷野歇一歇，你呢？
每天拿出工作时间的2.5%=10分钟，容易吗？ 只要开始就容易，我们一起互相陪伴、督促自己吧…?

冲刺200天、300天……余生的年日中！

At the MMW meeting that just ended on February 27, 2026, the brothers went up together on stage before the pastor of Ark Church preached, reciting the scripture "Colossians 3:12-17". Then a video of the event was played, and all the members of the church were attracted by the brothers' enthusiasm and responded with warm applause. Glory to the Lord!

This weekend, the brothers experienced a 40-hour experiential journey. What kind of activity is Marvel Men Weekend? What impact did it have on the brothers? Simon Yusheng, the outdoor ministry coach of the Mountain Fellowship, posed a few questions, hoping that the participants' feedback could help you understand some things, although your experience is irreplaceable.

1. What is your most profound memory?
2. What would you have missed if you hadn't come?
3. What was your biggest challenge?
4. What inspiration and help did you receive?

Brother Qiu: The most profound moment was the brothers' mutual affirmation and thanksgiving. This can be applied to family relationships, replacing silence and complaints. Such a family will surely be happy, harmonious, and pleasing to God! Thank you, Mountain Fellowship, for the brothers sharing their life stories from the depths of their hearts, praying for one another with tears in their eyes. This beautiful scene is something we cannot experience in our busy lives!

Brother Zhu: We drew closer to God, closer to nature, and also closer to the experience the brothers participated in. We saw that we should seek more in our spiritual lives and try more new things. Brother Liu: My deepest impression was the sharing around the campfire. I saw that I needed to reject negativity. If I hadn't come, I would have missed the opportunity to get to know the brothers in the Lord. The biggest beneficiary this time was myself; I felt less alone. The biggest challenge for me was putting aside work and going two days without my phone or internet. Of course, my gains were also enormous: the peace the Lord gives us is irreplaceable, and the Lord helped me learn forgiveness, freeing me from bondage.

Brother Feng: I was deeply impressed by the "Life Story Sharing." Usually, I have too many burdens that are difficult to confide in. Here, everyone had a safe environment and could share openly, which was also a healing process. Interacting with everyone, I saw God's gifts and guidance for each person, which I found incredibly precious. The challenge for me is physical fitness; I need to strengthen my training to prepare for the five-day "Leadership March." I have already recommended two brothers to participate in the next Marvel Men Weekend! "No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, he lives in us and his love is made complete in us." (1 John 4:12)

Brother Wang: My most profound memory is the game segment, which made me see my shortcomings. I often criticize others for making mistakes in simple things, impatiently and rudely, indulging in my pride. I need to correct this! I should try not to jump to conclusions without firsthand experience.

I will participate again in May and will also introduce it to my son.

Brother Tony: My most profound memory is the teamwork in the game, turning defeat into victory. Through this activity, God helped me understand who I am, where I come from, and where I am going, helping me find my direction in ministry, see my shortcomings, understand how to better empathize, and, more importantly, love one another.

Brother Shawn: If I hadn't come, I would have missed the opportunity to meet more like-minded people. I am a proud person and think I've done well, but from the brothers, I saw humility and repentance, a courageous example of taking responsibility, and a loving husband.


Brother Hu: I shared around the campfire about relationships healed and personal wounds, relying on God's comfort. This activity deepened my understanding of the brothers and strengthened our bonds. It brought a peaceful and stable opportunity to get to know the brothers around me in my busy life.

Brother Simon: A man like me needs to practice sharing and affirmation, both of which require speaking out. Before, I was afraid to speak my heart, unable to express my love. Now, I've finally learned to share my feelings and actively affirm and encourage those around me. I've found that my wife and children are slowly growing to like me more, and they respond to my sharing. This interaction brings joy to my heart, and I feel much younger… "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." (Proverbs 17:22) Today, please share your joy and feelings here, at home, and in front of those around you. Similarly, actively affirm someone's character or thoughts, and pass on your good mood and new habits. Begin now…

20260227-0301刚刚结束的MMW，弟兄们今天在方舟教会的牧师讲道之前，一起上台，背诵经文“西3:12-17”，然后播放视频，全场的会友都被弟兄们的热情吸引，报以热烈掌声?荣耀归给主！

在这个周末，弟兄们经历了体验式的40小时，Marvel Men Weekend “奇妙男人挑战周末” 是一个怎样的活动？带给弟兄们怎样的影响呢？山前团契的户外事工教练Simon余生提出了几个问题，希望参加者的反馈可以帮助你了解一些，不过你的体验是无法替代的。
1、你最深刻的记忆是什么？
2、假如不来，你会错过什么
3、对你最大的挑战是什么？
4、你的启发和帮助是什么？

邱弟兄
最深刻的是弟兄们互相肯定感谢环节，可以用在家庭关系上，代替沉默和抱怨，那这个家，一定会是幸福和谐，蒙神喜悦的！谢谢山前团契，弟兄们从心灵深处分享生命故事，流着眼泪彼此代祷，这美好的景象是我们忙碌的生活中体验不到的！

朱弟兄
我们亲近了神，又亲近了大自然，同时也亲近了弟兄们这次参加的体验，看见了自己在属灵生命上应该更多的寻求，有更多新的尝试。

刘弟兄
最深的印象是篝火边分享，我看见了我需要拒绝消极。假如不来，我会错过和弟兄们在主里认识的机会，这次最大的受益者是我自己，我觉得我不孤单了。这次对我最大的挑战是放下工作，两天无手机、无网络，当然我的收获也是巨大的：主给我们的平安无可替代，主帮助我学习饶恕，把我从捆绑中释放了出来。

冯弟兄
“生命故事分享”印象深刻。平时有太多的重担很难去倾诉，这里给了大家安全的环境，坦然的分享，也是医治的过程。与大家的互动中看到了神对每个人的恩赐和带领，我觉得太宝贵了。对我的挑战是体能，以后要加强锻炼，预备参加五天的“领袖行军”。我已经推荐了两位弟兄参加下次的Marvel Men Weekend！
“从来没有人见过神，我们若彼此相爱，神就住在我们里面，爱他的心在我们里面得以完全了。”（约一4:12）

汪弟兄
最深刻的记忆是游戏环节，使我看到自己的不足。我平时会责备别人在简单事情上犯错，不耐烦也不客气，放任自己骄傲的情绪，我要改正！凡事尽量不要没有亲历就武断下结论。
5月份我会再次参加，也会介绍给我的儿子。

Tony弟兄
最深刻的记忆是游戏中的团队配合，反败而升。神透过这次活动让我知道我是谁，我从哪里来，要到哪里去，帮助我找到自己的服事方向，看清自己的不足，懂得如何更好地同理，更是彼此相爱。

Shawn弟兄
假如不来会错过认识更多同路人的机会。我是个骄傲的人，自认为自己做得不错，但从弟兄们身上我看到了谦卑和悔改的心，勇于承担责任和爱护自己妻子的好榜样。

胡弟兄
我围着篝火分享，被神修复的关系和个人伤痛，依靠神带来的安慰，这次活动中更一层认识弟兄们，增进了关系。给我匆忙的生活带来了一次平静安稳去认识身边弟兄的机会。

Simon弟兄
我这样的男人需要操练：分享和肯定，这都需要开口。而以前我是“心里有话不敢说，爱你在心口难开。”现在我终于学会了分享自己的感受、主动肯定鼓励身边的人，我发现我的妻子和孩子慢慢的喜欢我了，她们也会回应我的分享，这种互动使我的心里生出了喜乐，我感到自己年轻了许多…“喜乐的心乃是良药；忧伤的灵使骨枯干。” (箴言 17:22 )
今天请你在这里、在家里、在你周围的人面前分享你的一个喜乐的心情和感受，同样主动去肯定一个人的品格或者思想，将你美好的心情和崭新的习惯，传递出去，现在就开始吧… 

There are times when we step away from our normal rhythms—a weekend with friends, a long-awaited vacation, or holiday gatherings. These moments are gifts: opportunities to recharge, reflect, and reconnect.

Other times, we’re on mission—helping elderly parents, traveling for work, attending a conference. These are purposeful moments: chances to serve, grow, and produce.

Still other times, we return from spiritual triumph—a mission trip, a Gospel conference, a speaking engagement. The spiritual high lingers, but our bodies are exhausted. We tell ourselves, “I deserve some me time.” And subtly, we begin to disengage.

I call these away times—moments when we’re away from home and away from routine. They’re part of life. We all have them. But if we’re not careful, they become spiritual blind spots—or potholes. The mind drifts from our rhythms, and tragically, so does our awareness of Jesus.

I see this often. When we’re supposed to meet weekly, one or two brothers might say, “I’m traveling for work,” or “I’m on vacation.” Then we don’t hear from them for two weeks. No prayer request. No update. No check-in.

It’s happened to me many times. Before I travel—whether for work or leisure—I’ll download a bunch of videos to my iPad and tell my D-Group brothers I can’t join. Unconsciously, I’m telling myself I deserve a break from Jesus. But taking a break from Jesus can have serious consequences.

When we step away from spiritual routines—church gatherings, men’s group, morning devotions, prayer rhythms—we risk entering battle without armor. Scripture warns:
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” — Ephesians 6:11

Remember David? When he took a break from his war routine, he saw a beautiful woman and committed a deadly sin. One brother recently returned from vacation and confessed soberly, “I sinned.” He had let his guard down. His mind wandered. His heart drifted.
Every day is a battle. Even when we take a break, Satan never does. When our routine shifts, the enemy often strikes hardest—when we’re isolated, distracted, or lulled into complacency.

Jesus modeled rest, but never disconnection.

“Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” — Luke 5:16

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” — Matthew 26:41

Even in solitude, He stayed alert. Even in exhaustion, He remained connected to the Father.

Think of your away time as battle time. You’re entering a fight—so prepare to win. Here are four practical ways to stay spiritually grounded, even when you're off the grid:

• Spend time in solitude to identify your vulnerabilities. What are your weak spots during away times? Social gatherings with drinks? Time alone in a hotel room? Traveling with someone of the opposite sex? Late-night binge watching? Girls on the beach? These are traps. No general sends his soldiers into danger unprepared. Avoid them. Run from them.
  “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion…” — 1 Peter 5:8
  
  
• Send a prayer request before you go. My friend Brent always does this before overseas mission trips. I’ve started doing the same. It’s a simple act of humility and wisdom—and a great comfort knowing someone’s got your back.
  “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” — James 5:16
  
  
• Give your best friend permission to check in. Accountability isn’t weakness—it’s strength. Tell your brothers where and when you might be vulnerable. Ask them to call you. That’s your air cover.
  “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” — Proverbs 27:17
  
  
• Jump into your D-Group, even for 10 minutes. A short check-in can recalibrate your heart. You don’t have to stay long—just pop in, say hi, give a quick update, and ask for prayer. If you’re with family, you’re modeling how to walk in faith. If you truly don’t have 10 minutes, record a short audio and send it to your group. Your brothers are there for you—be there for them.
  “Do not give up meeting together… but encouraging one another.” — Hebrews 10:25

You may be at home or away. Your priorities may shift. Your routine may change. But your focus should never shift away from Jesus.
“Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” — Hebrews 12:2

Yes, take care of your family. Be present in your work. But let Jesus be the center of your everyday life—at all times, in all places.
Jesus doesn’t take time off from loving us. Let’s not take time off from following Him. Whether you're on a beach, in the mountains, or staying home alone—stay alert. Stay armored. Stay connected.
“Blessed is the one who remains steadfast under trial…” — James 1:12

So next time you pack your bags, pack your Bible. Text your brothers. Pray before you go. Because every moment is holy—but only when Jesus is in it. That’s why we’re called to be consecrated.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

有时候，我们会暂时离开正常的节奏——和朋友一起度过周末、期待已久的假期、或节日聚会。这样的时刻是一个礼物：让我们有机会充电、反思、并重新连接。

有时候，我们是在完成任务——照顾年迈的父母、因工作出差、或参加会议。这些是有目的的时刻：让我们有机会服事、成长、并结出果子。

还有时候，我们刚从属灵的高峰归来——一次宣教旅行、一场福音大会、或一次讲道服事。属灵的喜乐仍在，但身体却已疲惫。我们告诉自己：“我该享受一点属于自己的时间。” 不知不觉中，我们开始跟耶稣脱离。

我称这些为“离开时刻”——离开家、离开常规的时刻。它们是生活的一部分，我们每个人都会遇到。但若不谨慎，它们就会成为属灵的盲点——或者陷阱。心思脱离了节奏，悲哀的是，我们对耶稣的专注也随之漂移。

我常常看到这种情况。本该每周聚会时，一两个弟兄会说：“我因工作出差”，或“我在度假”。然后我们就两周没有他们的消息。没有祷告请求，没有更新，没有联络。

我自己也经历过很多次。在出差或度假前，我会下载一堆视频到 iPad，并告诉小组弟兄我不能参加会议。不知不觉中，我在告诉自己：我该从耶稣那里休息一下。但从耶稣那里休息，可能带来严重的后果。

当我们离开属灵的常规——教会聚会、弟兄小组、晨更、祷告节奏——我们就冒着没有盔甲上战场的风险。圣经警告：

“要穿戴神所赐的全副军装，使你能抵挡魔鬼的诡计。” ——以弗所书 6:11

还记得大卫吗？当他从战争的常规里休息下来时，他看见一位美丽的女子，犯下致命的罪。一位弟兄最近从度假回来，沉重地承认：“我犯罪了。” 他放松了警戒，心思游荡，心灵漂移。

每天都是争战。即使我们休息，撒但却从不休息。当我们的常规改变时，敌人往往在我们最孤立、最分心、或最松懈的时候发动攻击。

耶稣示范了休息，但从未脱离与父的连接。

“耶稣却退到旷野去祷告。” ——路加福音 5:16“总要警醒祷告，免得陷入试探。” ——马太福音 26:41

即使在独处中，他仍保持警醒；即使在疲惫中，他仍与父保持连接。

把你的离开时刻看作争战时刻。你正在进入一场战斗——要预备得胜。以下四个实际的方法，帮助你在离开常规时仍保持属灵的根基：

• 花时间和耶稣独处，辨认你的软弱。在离开时刻，你的弱点是什么？喝酒的社交聚会？独自在酒店房间？与异性一起出差？深夜狂看视频？海滩上的女孩？这些都是陷阱。没有将军会让士兵毫无准备地进入危险。要避开它们，逃离它们。
  
  “务要谨守，警醒。因为你们的仇敌魔鬼，如同吼叫的狮子，遍地游行，寻找可吞吃的人。” ——彼得前书 5:8
  
  
• 在出发前发出祷告请求。我的朋友胡牧在去海外宣教前总是这样做。我也开始效法。这是一个简单的谦卑与智慧的举动——也可以给你带来极大的安慰，因为有人在为你守望祷告。
  
  “义人祈祷所发的力量是大有功效的。” ——雅各书 5:16
  
  
• 给你最好的朋友许可来关心你。责任不是软弱，而是力量。告诉弟兄你可能软弱的地方和时间，请他们打电话给你。这就是你的空中支援。
  
  “铁磨铁，磨出刃来；朋友相感，也是如此。” ——箴言 27:17
  
  
• 加入你的小组，即使只有 10 分钟。即便是简短的联络都能重新校准你的心。你不必待很久——只要进来打个招呼，简短更新，并请求祷告。如果你和家人在一起，你就是在示范如何行走在信心中。若真的没有 10 分钟，就录一段简短的音频发给小组。弟兄们在那儿支持你——你也要支持他们。
  
  “不可停止聚会……总要彼此劝勉。” ——希伯来书 10:25

无论你在家还是在外，你的优先事项可能会改变，你的节奏可能会调整。但你的焦点绝不能离开耶稣。

“仰望为我们信心创始成终的耶稣。” ——希伯来书 12:2

是的，要照顾好你的家人，要专注于你的工作。但让耶稣始终成为你生活的中心——在任何时候，在任何地方。

耶稣从不停止爱我们。让我们也不要停止跟随他。无论你在海滩、在山中、或独自在家——要保持警醒，穿戴军装，保持连接。

“忍受试探的人是有福的……” ——雅各书 1:12

所以下次你收拾行李时，也要收拾好圣经。给弟兄发短信。出发前祷告。因为每一个时刻都是圣洁的——但只有当耶稣在其中时才是圣洁。这就是我们被呼召分别为圣的原因。

当转眼仰望耶稣，
定睛在他奇妙的面容，
世上的事必然变得黯淡，
在他荣耀恩典的光中。

2025年5月25日，方舟教会弟兄们举办了一次Marvel 男人挑战周末的活动。

我是Robin，这是我第二次参加MARVEL MEN露营。

第一次是去年七月，那时我刚到方舟两个月，还时常面带愁容。
八月情人晚宴 我邀请太太来参加，结果没有成功。
九月读书退休会 我参加了，心中却有一丝孤单失落。
十月 我满了63岁，一生的路，徒劳虚空。
十一月感恩节 去大学同学家吃火锅，我单枪匹马赴宴。
十二月在祷告山 我决心2025年要有一个新的开始。

一月，和Niel長老喝咖啡，我决定要 “作主門徒, for REAL"
二月 情人节 被我搞砸了，和太太吵了一架。
三月 “如何为你的妻子祷告”  二十天祷告词，以及
四月 “如何为你的丈夫祷告” 三十天祷告词， 我仔细读了一遍。
五月 在张良牧师鼓励下，我成了MARVEL MEN Weekend 的队长。

我学到的是：男人天性有渴望：
1）为理想争战，
2）赢得美人心，
3）活者要探险。

我的祷告是：

抛开面子问题，
免去心中惧怕，
消除一切苦毒，
成为家里属灵的领袖。

弟兄们，《这条路上我们一起走》这首歌我听了好几遍，每次都有新的感受！对我来说，它不只是唱给别人听的，而是一种提醒：我不是一个人在走这条信仰的路！

我曾经觉得，男人要靠自己扛住一切，不轻易开口。但在 MarvelMen 的帮助下，我看见属灵的成熟不是独立，而是愿意承认自己的软弱，并邀请弟兄一同走这条路。

在山前团契的活动中，我们不仅在见面时拥抱，更在心里彼此敞开与接纳。工作压力大、家庭责任重、属灵状态低落的时候，是身边弟兄的陪伴和鼓励让我回到主的怀里！在弟兄面前，我不需要戴上面具，只谈光鲜亮丽的一面，而是可以真诚地分享，营造一个彼此关怀、彼此信任的安全环境。我们从自己的身体开始挑战自己，经常锻炼、拒绝消极、胜过试探；在一起的时候，彼此医治，也被主医治！

我真心感谢张良牧师的体验式教学，也感谢牧师和每一位弟兄背后妻子的默默支持和祷告！愿我们真心同行，不只是唱一首歌，而是在现实生活中，彼此提醒、彼此搀扶，一起成为身心灵都健康、荣耀神的男人。

2025年12月6日，方舟教会Super Saturday有23人参加，虽然早晨有些寒冷，但是在Simon教练带领4321爆发运动之后，大家全都温暖了，气氛也开始热烈起来…他们开始学习拥抱、分享生命故事、背诵经文、最后一起祷告，又一次体验了“超级周六”带给他们的快乐与友情。

有位弟兄第一次参加，他说：这是一次更新，我很喜欢，我更认识了身边的人，希望教会可以继续组织这样的活动。

亲爱的同路人，我的弟兄们：

作为牧者，一想到十二月接下来的一连串事工，你心里怎么样？光是看见那些行程，会不会有点紧张、有点压力？

要照顾好我们的情绪，第一步其实很简单，就是诚实地觉察自己的感受。不妨问问自己：想到这个月时，我是喜乐、忧伤、生气，还是有点害怕？

十二月当然可以是一个充满喜乐的季节——但对不少人来说，它也可能带着重量。我们当中有弟兄今年失去了亲人；有些经历了婚姻的破碎；有些正在与抑郁或疲惫搏斗。节日的气氛，有时反而会把深埋的伤痛再次带出来。哀伤就是这样，时不时会涌上心头。

那我们该如何在忙碌与复杂的情绪中前行呢？

其实，有一个非常简单却十分有帮助的小动作：
每次开始新的活动前，先停下来三十秒，向主祷告：

“主啊，我们又要开始一项奉你名而做的事工。今天会有很多人、很多事情要做。求你让我看见谁需要一句鼓励、一个拥抱、或一声祷告。不要让忙碌模糊了我们的真正目的——就是服事人。”

“天父，也提醒我记得，耶稣是喜乐的主，祂曾在婚宴中欢喜。求你把祂的喜乐放在我里面，让我在这些日子里也能因你所成就的一切而庆祝。”

我们这些“带着伤痕的医治者”，既能与喜乐的人同乐，也能与哀哭的人同哭。如果我们这样活，这个十二月或许会成为这些年来最真实、最有恩典、最有温度的一个。我真心相信这是可能的。

也别忘了：**身体、情绪和属灵生命是连在一起的。**忙起来的时候，我们最容易忽略运动。
但其实，哪怕只做 5–10 分钟的深蹲或跳绳，都很有帮助。不仅能让内啡肽上升，让头脑更清醒，也能让身心都重新轻松起来。

愿每一位弟兄在这个圣诞季都满有平安、力量与喜乐。

你在主里的弟兄与朋友，
Brent

PS 附注：
我也特别想鼓励你，在十二月里给自己留一段安静的独处时间。找个公园，一个人在小路上散散步；或者找个安静角落坐下来，想想人生，默想神和祂的话语。让心慢下来，让灵里重新回到与你的主同在的状态里。

人越忙，其实越需要这样的停顿。我们的天父也盼望和祂所爱的儿子有一段单独相处的时光。你不妨试一试——也许会慢慢形成一个对灵命非常有益的习惯。这些年，它真实地改变了我，我也盼望它能同样祝福你。

弟兄们，无论十二月有多少挑战，请记得：耶稣与我们同在。祂住在我们里面，也与我们同工。祂是大牧者，我们只是祂的小牧人。
感谢主——真正的担子不在我们身上！

Dear Brothers on the Journey,

As pastors, how do you feel about the days ahead in December? Does the thought of all the activities make you a little anxious?

To stay emotionally healthy the first step is simply to notice how we feel. Try naming your emotions as you think about this month: glad, sad, mad, or afraid.

December can be a wonderful joyous time—but it can also be heavy. Some people in our congregations—or even some of us who serve as pastors—have lost a parent, a spouse, or a child this year. Some have gone through divorce. Some are struggling with depression. Holiday celebrations can bring grief to the surface. Grief is strange; it comes in waves.

How do we navigate the busyness and the emotions?

Here is something small that can make a big difference. Before starting each activity, pause for a moment and pray:

“Lord, here is another activity we are doing in Your name. There will be many people there, and much to do, but help me see who needs an encouraging word, a hug, or a prayer. Keep me from being so busy that I forget the real reason we’re here—to minister to people. And Father, help me remember that Jesus celebrated life—He rejoiced at weddings. Help me be a joy-filled person, celebrating all You’ve done and all we have in You.”

As wounded healers we can rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. If we can do that, perhaps this will be the best December ever? I believe it can.

Finally, remember that our body and our emotions and our spiritual life are all interconnected. When we’re too busy, we forget to exercise. But let me tell you, even 5 to 10 minutes of body squats or jump rope can do amazing things. This definitely boosts our endorphins, stimulates our brain, and brings happiness to our body and soul.

Jesus is with us, brothers — within us, and present in every situation this month. He is the healer, and this is His ministry. We are only His co-shepherds. Praise God—the pressure is not on us!
Merry Christmas season to all!

Your friend and brother in the Lord,

Brent

Ps. Also, I highly recommend that you plan for a personal time of solitude. Go to a park and walk alone on a trail, sit quietly and think about life, God, and His word. Take a few hours to calm your soul and live in your union with Christ. The busier we are the more we need this. Moreover, your father in heaven also desires time with you as his son. Try it and you might develop a very healthy spiritual habit that will change you as it has changed me over the years.

This article is a reflection of Brother Simon Zhang's (Yu Sheng) heartfelt emotion while preparing for the Montana "Journey Together Retreat," which he is sharing with all pastors.

I hope you can completely relax. After experiencing so many stories—family, church, work… your lives have accumulated many impurities, preventing them from being purely used by God. Therefore, they need refinement and shaping, but only Jesus can do this! I am merely a guide, a companion, to help you return to the furnace.

If you feel helpless about your current life, why not give yourself and Jesus a chance to spend seven days doing one thing for your precious life—"returning to the furnace"!

See whose hands hold the steering wheel of life?

See if our God is true and alive!

You don't need to refuse, because I'm not inviting you; I'm just a messenger:
Jesus is inviting you into His rest, and His peace will reign in your heart. Are you willing to accept?

Jesus values your life more than you do; He sees you as more precious. He gave you so many years to use the sword of life, but now it's worn and rusty,it needs to be reforged, refined, tempered, and rebuilt. You may have different choices, but the wheels of time don't stop. How many more seven-year periods do you have left?

Hey, friend, wake up! I don't know how much of my life I have left, and neither do you.

Now, don't hesitate any longer. It's time to change your way of life. This isn't as easy as deciding to take a vacation; it's a shift in your life's frequency. Are you willing to accept Jesus' call?

If you accept, you must:
Let go of all obstacles,
Accept the challenge,
Open your heart sincerely,
Embrace this rare opportunity!

My friend, these words were written to myself, but I'm sharing them with you in the hopes that they might help.

I am currently on the path to recovering from fatigue and regaining my health. If you also need to regain your health, then this is a "journey together." I hope to meet Jesus with you on God's holy mountain, and that we can walk together for the rest of our lives...

本文作者為恩福學者事工專員。原告载于恩福雜誌 2025年10月 - 97期

早在宾州的时候，我就不断听到身边的白人姐妹或单人上路或组团同行，奔赴西班牙的圣地牙哥朝圣之路（El Camino de Santiago）。独行侠通常选择自己背包前往，从起步之地，或一个月或更长时间，抵达向往已久的圣地——大西洋海岸的圣雅各教堂。我被她们的勇敢所折服，希望未来可以挑战自己！

2022年，祖幸牧师开始参与弟兄行军事工，其中有两位是我过去在北大任教时的学生，他们不但信了主，还成为牧者或平信徒领袖。其中的吴海军弟兄，在北大读书时一直参加学生社团山鹰社，每年夏季都会去新疆、青海或西藏，攀登世界的不同高峰，挑战生命的极限！这奠定了我的小小梦想——盼望有一天可以挑战自己，野外登山或负重行军！

姐妹行军始于2023年秋季，地点是北加州。我虽然报名，但因各种原因无法成行。然而2024年的姐妹行军，从报名到预备，神都为我大开绿灯。

在随后的预备与自我训练过程中，我已经经历到神的爱和祂的呼唤，那就是走出自我的体能怀疑，走出自我心灵的不确定性，走出生命变故带给我的灵里虚弱和彷徨，走向神的广阔、信实和坚定。从康州的法明顿运河遗产远足线路（FCHT，the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail ）起步，我开始预备进入神在大山深处对我的呼唤，那是神自己对我爱的召唤，引领我进入祂为人类、为我、为每一位祂所爱的孩子创造的家园——圣胡安山脉（San Juan Mountains）的怀抱！

经过整个夏季的预备，我们终于在2024年9月6日出发，奔赴科罗拉州。凌晨5点我开车前往康州BDL机场，中午经Denver机场转机，下午抵达科罗拉多州大山里的小机场杜兰戈（Durango）。开着红色吉普车的丽娜姐妹和营地主人Chet Russell分头来机场接上我们从四面八方飞抵这里的所有姐妹，奔向我们的目的地，即名为「旷野呼声」（Voice of Wilderness）的基督教负重远足与退修中心。

我们14位分别来自康州、佛罗里达州、爱荷华州、伊利诺州、德州、加州的姐妹全部到齐。其中丽娜和凯瑞两位白人姐妹是我们的领队，她们与营地的主人一起安排我们的营地生活以及我们的行军与宿营日程，还有我们每位身心灵所需要的美食与盛宴。其余12位姐妹都是华裔，其中10位是中国大陆背景，另2位分别来自台湾和马来西亚。

我们14位姐妹的背景相差十万八千里，然而，作为共同背负神形像的人，作为同属神国度的女儿，作为同时生活在人类堕落之后破碎世界中的人，我们的经历惊人地相似，我们的人性面临共同的挣扎与磨砺。但是，如果没有真挚的分享，我们无法知道这一切。

1、生命故事之一：人的尽头，神的救赎！
9月6日在我们抵达营地的当天晚上，在深山里营地的凉台上，在神所创造的清澈美丽星空下，我们的领队之一凯瑞姐妹，就坦然地与我们分享她的生命故事。40岁出头的她，看起来很年轻，但已经是6个孩子的母亲，最大的26岁，小的12岁。她儿时在休斯顿长大，并非来自基督教家庭。在她16岁的时候，同时经历三件人生的悲剧——母亲再度离异，自己未婚怀孕，最好的朋友血癌离世。18岁时，当她第二次未婚先孕的时候，母亲投奔新的男友，她没有任何人可以依靠。正是在如此孤单无助的时候，她开始寻求可以拯救她和孩子的命运主宰，但是她不知道这位主宰是谁？祂在哪里？那时，她不想见任何人，也不与任何人说话。
但是，神知道凯瑞姐妹的寻求和需要，并让她在医院里遇到一位牧师，给了她名片。然而她并没有马上去找那位牧师，而是在4个月后她再度怀孕，才自己走进了教会。可是，她因为未婚怀孕，遭到教会的拒绝，结果她8年没有踏进教会的门，直到遇到她现在的先生。通过与现在先生的幸福婚姻，她经历到神的爱与医治，并重新回到教会!

凯瑞觉得，如果自己早认识神，就不会有那么多伤心的经历，为此她努力地与身边的人分享信仰，分享神的爱。她本人为基础教育的艺术课老师，业余和假期时间为登山教练。这是她成为我们姐妹登山领队的原因。

2、生命故事之二：因为神，人生仍有梦！
第二天早餐后的晨曦中，在深山的密林里，领队丽娜姐妹向我们真挚透明地分享她的生命故事。丽娜两岁的时候，就经历父母的离异；父母双方也很快再婚。她跟随父亲的再婚家庭生活，有一个幸福的童年。高中开始，家里有了家庭聚会，并且她被呼召将来服侍中国的家庭教会。她的继父没有任何信仰，母亲再度离异后，直到过世都是孤身一人，心中充满伤痛。
丽娜姐妹毕业于科罗拉多州立大学的政治学专业，大学期间她在暑期的时候到基督教营地工作，有了野外的教练经历，因为儿时成长于科罗拉多州的山间。在营地工作期间，丽娜姐妹的信仰遭到质疑，她不确定自己到底是不是基督徒？暑期结束，回到校园，她开始读经和祷告，并且接受门训，成为真正的基督徒，最终经历朋友与生活圈子的翻转，从原来一起喝酒的朋友圈子转入一起读经的基督徒圈子。

大学毕业后，丽娜在美国参议院议员办公室工作了6年，并且遇到了在白宫工作的律师，很快与之结为连理。虽然在首府工作，她没有遗忘神的呼召，依然希望通过基督教机构去中国的长沙作英语教师。后来，神为她打开服侍东南亚和非洲的大门，也继续给她在美国服侍中国姐妹的机会。这是她成为姐妹行军属灵领队的原因。

丽娜的先生后来成为美国圣母大学的环保法律领域教授。他们结婚27年后，她的先生因为突发心脏病，于2019年过世。她有两个成年的女儿，分别为28岁和26岁，一个在英国，以社会工作者的身份帮助受虐待的妇女和儿童；一个在波士顿，从事IT行业。她和女儿共同走过了5年半失去丈夫和父亲的忧伤日子。如今，她再度遇到自己的挚爱，正在预备生活的新篇章。

就这样，在营地的篝火堆前，在行军休息的羊肠小道上，在大山下支搭的帐篷外，在繁星点点的夜幕中，在晚霞映照的山谷开阔之地，分享生命故事，成为我们这次行军的主旋律之一。

我们这群12位华人姐妹，多数都有不同的苦难遭遇和切肤之痛！很多伤痛都还没有完全恢复或治愈，或者还在挣扎之中，参加这次姐妹行军也是带着很多暗自神伤的心境，以及不知道未来如何的迷茫和彷徨。大家也不知道生命故事的分享会是怎样的情形？那些魂牵梦绕和难以启齿的痛苦是否可以一吐为快、一吐为净、一吐消散？还是继续隐藏自我，独自为痛苦所吞噬？

如果没有神，我们这群姐妹都是痛不欲生的悲惨怨妇，在工作和学业上的所有成功与顺利都无法弥补我们在情感、婚姻与家庭中所经历的创伤。然而，叫万事互相效力的神，也是翻转命运的主，为的是让我们因着人间的苦难而归向祂和依靠祂，叫我们这些历经磨难的姐妹在祂里面再度蒙祝福，得益处，并把荣耀归向祂！一位姐妹分享：“如果没有离婚，我不会认识神。”是的，神呼召“凡劳苦担重担的人，可以到我这里来”（太十一28），让我们把所有生命的重担都交给祂！有一位姐妹，神使用她的小家庭来医治她来自原生家庭的伤害。另有一位姐妹，神长年使用祂大能和丰富的话语，把她带离死荫的幽谷。还有一位姐妹感慨道：“不到一周的时间里，神让我通过各位姐妹的分享，而经历到13种不同的人生。”

我们14位参加行军的姐妹中，年龄最小的Jean出生于1989年，年龄最长的是61岁的Eunice和我。虽然我们在年龄上相差26年，我们的人生境遇不同，但是神都叫我们彼此倾听，彼此关顾。每一次分享之前，我们都是在赞美的歌声中预备自己向神、向身边姐妹敞开心扉。每一次分享之后，我们都以倾心吐意的祷告结束。我们在敞开中被连接，在分享中得释放，在倾听中被开拓，在自由里再出发。

在主里，我们感到“一日如千年”（彼后三8）。姐妹行军日程虽短，但是我们所经历的深度生命触摸与释放，是永恒的，是被神所纪念的，因为我们是奉祂的名聚集和行军，分享和相爱。我们行军所登上的，不仅仅是神所创造的自然之山，更是神所挑战我们要登的生命之山，爬坎坷生命的坡，行军在痛苦的人生路上，经历生命的高山低谷，甚至是死亡的幽谷，因为神要借着这一切来赐下属祂的生命力量，属祂的生命高度，属祂的生命更新。

没有风雨，哪有彩虹？不经死荫，怎会复活？姐妹行军虽然结束，但是神向我们彰显了祂对我们每一位姐妹永恒的爱——所有人生的苦难都无法使我们与神的爱隔绝，也都无法阻挡我们继续在生命的路上行军！

Whenever a truly profound event happens in life it can be hard to find words that capture what really took place.

This past week, 11 brothers in Christ gathered in Montana — living together under one roof, as one family in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. We came with one shared desire—to grow into the men God has called us to be, and to be both known and loved as sons of our Father in heaven, experiencing His marvelous love.

This world is full of darkness, and many of us have tasted its wounds. When a man is hurt, he faces a choice: to come again to Jesus and open his heart to a brother in Christ, or to cover it all up—slipping into depression and drifting away from the life of transformation Jesus offers.

A retreat like this rekindles the fire. It sets us back on the right path and becomes a key step toward wholeness.

But the true test comes afterward—when we return home and face reality with a new perspective, new priorities, and a new kind of love. It is the kind of love Jesus spoke of when He said: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

To those who participated, I want to say: To me you are not just pastors, but you are true brothers and real men of God.

Our goal in providing LifeCare for leaders is to bring each one into the marvelous love of God — and this includes you. God cares for you individually and loves you deeply.

To those who were not there, I want to say: we see the battles leaders face. We have seen the wars, the wounds, and the scars of those who serve as pastors have encountered in their personal and family lives. This is a spiritual war — a war for hearts and relationships.

Therefore, in every hug and every time we share authentically and face our challenges together as brothers, we advance forward in this war. Our joy and laughter are huge and powerful weapons against potential and real depression.

I saw it again this week — joy is ours if we will grasp it. I saw it again this week -- joy is ours if we will grasp it. It is available from Jesus through our relationships with one another, through His amazing and beautiful creation, and through a healthy physical body -- this is all through deep dependence on His Spirit. "Rejoice in the Lord. I say it again, Rejoice!" We cannot be passive. Joy is ours if we will grasp it.

Thank you, brothers. We love you. Our ministry is for you. May you embrace it fully.

《同行反思》

当生命被深深触动时，言语往往显得苍白，难以完全表达心中的经历。
这周，十一位基督里的弟兄在蒙大拿同住一屋，彼此同行，在圣灵的感动中合一，在神的呼召里合一，也在爱与被爱的关系中合一。我们一同经历了作为天父儿子的真实身份，感受到祂奇妙的爱。

这个世界充满黑暗，许多人背负伤痛。人在受伤时，有两个选择：要么向耶稣和弟兄们敞开心门；要么把伤口掩埋，孤立自己，远离耶稣所赐的新生命。
这次退修会带领我们再次进入神的烈火，成为迈向全人健康的重要里程碑。但更重要的是，当我们回到日常生活，仍要以更新的眼光、次序与爱来继续前行。这正是耶稣所说的那种爱：“人为朋友舍命，人的爱心没有比这个更大的了。”

我特别感谢两位名叫 Simon 的弟兄，在这几天里与我并肩同行、忠心服侍。

所有的牧者不仅是忠心的牧羊人，更是真正的弟兄和真实的男人。我深信神正在你的生命中动工，奇妙的事将要发生。你愿意与祂同行吗？
这不仅仅是华丽的词藻，更是真心的盼望。我们看见男人所面对的争战，也目睹了牧者们在个人与家庭生活中所承受的伤痛与无助。这是一场属灵的争战，一场关乎心灵与人际关系的战争。

弟兄们的每一次拥抱、坦诚分享和勇敢面对，都是我们在这场争战中向前迈出的脚步。我们的喜乐和欢笑，成为抵挡抑郁与绝望的有力武器。这周我再次亲眼看见——喜乐原是属于我们的，只要你愿意去抓住。

我这周再次体会到——喜乐是属于我们的，只要我们愿意去抓住。它是耶稣所赐，透过我们彼此之间的关系，透过祂奇妙美丽的创造，也透过一个健康的身体——这一切都要靠深深依赖祂的圣灵。
“你们要靠主常常喜乐，我再说，你们要喜乐！”（腓立比书 4:4）
我们不能被动等待。喜乐已经摆在我们面前，只要我们愿意，就能抓住它。

感谢每一位牧者，我们爱你。这项事工正是为你而设立的。愿你敞开心怀，勇敢回应，拥抱这份从神而来的呼召。

同路人 - 胡牧 Brent Hoover

PS Here is the full 7 min. video https://vimeo.com/1120859605

Dear Brothers,

No matter how long you've been walking with the Lord, and no matter how equipped you feel, if the video and blog below stir something deep in your heart, let the Holy Spirit move you to pray—and then begin your application for the 2026 Embrace Men's Summit.
Let’s make a fresh start at this annual gathering of men and join the movement of Jesus together!

We have all heard about the Great Commission. But have you heard of the Great Omission?

Dallas Willard—one of the most important Christian thinkers of our time—wrote The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus’ Essential Teachings on Discipleship. His claim was simple and convicting: the greatest omission in modern Christianity is discipleship. Too often we reduce our faith to believing the right things or attending church, while neglecting the daily call to follow Jesus and form others into His likeness.

If you’re an engineer or data nerd, here are just a few numbers to back up what he claimed: 62% of Americans identify as Christian, down from 71% 10 years ago; weekly church attendance is below 30%, daily prayer and Bible reading are dropping to new low. Among evangelical churches, fewer than 5% are actually producing disciples who reproduce.

Based on all this data, it’s clear that Willard was not exaggerating. He spoke with the clarity of a prophet, telling God’s people a hard truth we would rather ignore. He was like a skilled doctor, delivering a diagnosis so serious that the church struggles to accept.

So that's church, but where do I stand? It is easy to point fingers to others or blame church, but the truth is, either I am part of the solution, or I'm part of the problem.

Twenty-one years ago my wife and I were about to divorce just as we graduated from MBA programs. In desperation I reached out to a friend, Brent Hoover, who had been a missionary in Asia for 7 years. After talking for hours he looked at me and said: “Ed, I know one guy who can help you. His name is Jesus. Do you want to believe in Him?”

I said yes. My wife said yes. God saved our marriage and our lives. That was a miracle.

We moved to Austin, found ACC, got baptized, joined all kinds of church programs, from Sunday school to prayer meeting. I even went to a women's prayer meeting. But the real transformation came only through life on life discipleship. A couple—an American husband and Japanese wife—invited us into their home. We ate together weekly. Conversations kept turning to Scripture and what Jesus meant for our everyday lives. They introduced us to Dallas Willard, Oswald Chambers, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. That season of intentional discipleship laid the foundation of our faith.

Brent didn’t disappear after leading me to Christ. For twenty-one years he has discipled me—serving as my spiritual father, marriage counselor, best friend, and now ministry partner. He’s walked with me through the highs and lows of family, work, and ministry. We’ve backpacked hundreds of miles together across New Mexico, Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming. We can call or text one another at any hour—no permission needed. That’s real discipleship.

My wife and I hadn’t returned to Ann Arbor since 2004, but last year we went back for a short trip to recreate memories and remember God’s faithfulness in our lives.

For years, I thought I was safe—I wouldn’t commit the sin of omission. But four years ago, I turned forty-nine—the same age my father died suddenly. That year, Psalm 90:12 struck me with new intensity: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

As I began counting my days, one question pressed relentlessly: If I stood before Jesus today, could I say I had made disciples? I had been faithful in church, giving, and serving—but had I helped others truly follow Jesus and make followers of Him? The answer wasn’t clear.

Oswald Chambers once wrote: “Not often, but once in a while, God brings us to a major turning point—a great crossroads. From that point we either drift into a slow, lazy, useless Christian life, or we become more and more on fire, giving our utmost for His highest.”

That year God led us to launch Trailhead Fellowship—a ministry to lead each one into the marvelous love of God. We started as a men's ministry but branched into women's ministry and pastor care ministry. Today, we have many men and women leading activities around the country year around. From a week long backpacking trip called LeaderTrek, to a weekend trip called Marvel Men, to three hours hiking on Saturday called Super Saturday, to a two hours gathering around campfire in our backyard.

All these events are deeply transformational. But through my experience, God made me realize that the mountaintop experience isn’t enough—we need discipleship in the valleys of daily life. So I started my first D-Group with four brothers. We held each other accountable in daily prayer and scripture reading, met weekly and encouraged one another to reach others. After a year, one group became two. Then three. Today, there are D-Groups in Austin, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Miami, and more.

God also led my family back to ACC, first joining the Mandarin Congregation, and last year we started to attend the English Congregation. Through the “Practice the Way” Discovery Group, I connected with several brothers who shared the same passion for discipleship. The Holy Spirit began to move. In February, five guys—David, Leslie, Charles, Chris, and I—formed the first D-Group at ACC. Fittingly, our first meeting took place at Five Guys burgers. In April, we hosted Marvel Men Weekend, and ten men attended. As more brothers caught the fire, that first group soon grew into three.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

1. Discipleship is not a class or program. As good as a class may be, no one becomes a disciple—or a disciple-maker—simply by finishing a course. Discipleship is a lifestyle. It is woven into meals, conversations, work, and friendship. It is formed over time through relationships, accountability, Scripture, and prayer.
2. The omission of discipleship is not from lack of knowledge but lack of conviction and action. We already have plenty of content. What we need are people of God courageous enough to step out of their comfort zones. What we need is a turning point. When your eyes and ears are open, you will hear God’s whisper—His gracious invitation: “Come, follow Me.”
3. The Great Commission belongs to every follower of Jesus. It was not given only to pastors, missionaries, or so-called “professionals.” If you think discipleship is someone else’s job, you are committing the sin of omission. Jesus commanded all of us: “Go therefore and make disciples.” That is an all-hands-on-deck calling. And if our leaders don’t yet know how, don’t wait. You don’t need permission to obey Jesus.

In the end, making disciples is not hard—because Jesus is with us! He promised to be by our side always, even to the very end of the age. And the journey is filled with joy: when we move from merely attending church to truly living as disciples and disciple-makers, everything changes. Our lives are swept up into the movement Jesus himself is leading. Our story becomes part of His story. Along the way, we discover deep friendships, lasting joy, and eternal purpose.

Philippians 1:21 declares, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Death is not the challenge—for the believer, to die is better, and even easy compared to the life we are called to live. It is not how we die, but how we live that defines us. The real question is: When my time is up, what will I be remembered for? Four years ago, I had no clear answer. Today I do. I want to be remembered as a disciple—and a disciple-maker.

Be One. Make One.

I can do this. You can do this. We can do this. We are in this together.

作为基督徒，我们都听过“大使命”。但你听说过“大抗命”吗？

达拉斯·魏乐德—我们这个时代最重要的基督思想家之一—写过《大抗命：重新拾起耶稣关于门徒训练的核心教导》。他的论点既简单又令人扎心：当代基督教中最大的抗命就是discipleship。我们常常把信仰简化为“相信正确的教义”或“去教会”，却忽略了耶稣每日呼召我们去跟随祂，并带领别人效法他的样式。

如果你是工程师或数据迷，以下几组数字足以证明魏乐德所说的：美国自称是基督徒的人从 10 年前的 71% 降到 62%；每周参加教会的人不到 30%；每日祷告和读经的人数跌到新低。在福音派教会中，真正培养出能再生门徒的比例不足 5%。

从这些数据来看，魏乐德并没有夸大。他像先知一样把真理摆在神的子民的面前，但我们却视而不见。他又像一位名医，把一个重病的诊断告诉我们，但我们却不愿意接受。

那是普世教会的光景，但我自己呢？很容易把责任推给别人或责怪教会，但事实是：我要么是解决方案的一部分，要么是问题的一部分。

二十一年前，我和妻子马上要从 MBA 毕业，但我们的婚姻却走到了终点。在绝望中，我联系了一位朋友—胡牧，他在亚洲作了七年宣教士。我们在一起谈了几个小时，他看着我说：“Ed，我认识一个人能帮你。他的名字叫耶稣。你愿意相信他吗？”

我说愿意。我的妻子也说愿意。神拯救了我们的婚姻，也拯救了我们的生命。这是个神迹。

之后不久我们搬到奥斯汀，找到 ACC，受洗，参加各种教会聚会，从主日学到祷告会。我甚至参加过姐妹的祷告会。但真正改变我生命的，不是这些活动，而是“生命陪伴生命”的discipleship。一对夫妇—丈夫是白人和妻子是日本人—邀请我们到他们家一起吃饭。在我们每周的聚会中，谈话总会转到圣经上，如果耶稣是我，他如何来过我们的日常生活？是他们把魏乐德、章伯斯、潘霍华介绍给我们。那一段专注discipleship的日子，奠定了我们信仰的根基。

胡牧在带我信主后，并没有消失。这二十一年来，他一直在带领我—他是我的属灵父亲、婚姻顾问、最好的朋友、也是现在的同工。他陪伴我走过家庭、工作、事工的高低起伏。我们一起背包徒步数百英里，走过新墨西哥、科罗拉多、蒙大拿、怀俄明的山径。我们随时可以互发短信或打电话——不需要任何许可。这才是真正的discipleship。

我和妻子自 2004 年后就没回过安娜堡，直到去年才短暂重访，回忆往事，纪念神在我们生命中的信实。

多年里，我以为自己很安全—我不会犯“抗命”的罪。但四年前，我 49 岁—我父亲猝然离世的年龄。那一年，诗篇 90:12 重重击中我：“求你指教我们怎样数算自己的日子，好叫我们得着智慧的心。”

当我开始数算日子，一个问题无情地追逼我：若今天站在耶稣面前，我能说我已造就门徒吗？我在教会很忠心，奉献、服事，但我是否真的帮助过人跟随耶稣，并使他们成为门徒？答案并不清楚。

章伯斯曾写过：“不是常常，但偶尔，神会把我们带到一个重大转折点——一个关键路口。从此我们要么渐渐漂流，过着懒散、无用的基督徒生活；要么越来越火热，竭诚为主。”

那一年，神带领我们创立了山前团契—一个带领人进入神奇妙之爱的事工。我们起初是男人事工，后来拓展到姐妹事工和牧者关怀事工。如今，全国各地都有弟兄姊妹带领各种活动。从为期一周的背包行 LeaderTrek，到周末的 Marvel Men，再到周六三小时的 Super Saturday，还有两个小时的后院篝火。

这些活动都深具改变力。但神让我明白，仅有山顶的经历还不够——我们需要在日常生活的山谷里继续discipleship。所以我们四个弟兄组成了第一个 D-Group。我们鼓励彼此每天祷告、查经守望，每周聚会，彼此激励去影响更多人。一年后，一个小组变成两个，然后三个。如今，奥斯汀、旧金山、费城、匹兹堡、迈阿密等地都有 D-Group。

在美国教会11年之后，神也带领我们回到了 ACC，先是国语堂，去年开始参加英文堂。透过“Practice the Way”主日学，我结识了一些同样热心于discipleship的弟兄。圣灵开始动工。今年二月，我们五个人—David、Leslie、Charles、Chris 和我——成立了 ACC 的第一个 D-Group。有趣的是，我们五个男人第一次聚会选在 Five Guys 汉堡店。四月，我们办了 Marvel Men 周末，有十位弟兄参加。随着更多弟兄被点燃，最初的小组很快增至三个。

这是我学到的：

1. 门徒训练不是课程或项目。课程虽好，但没有人因为“上完一门课”就成了门徒或门徒建造者。Discipleship 是一种生活方式。它需要融入吃饭、谈话、工作和友谊。它需要时间，透过关系、守望、读经和祷告来逐渐塑造。

2. “大抗命”，不是因为知识不足，而是因为缺乏信念和行动。我们的内容已经够多了。我们需要的是有勇气跨出舒适区的神的子民。我们需要的是一个转折点。当你的眼和耳都被开启时，你会听见神的低语—他慈爱的邀请：“来，跟从我。”

3. 大使命属于每一个耶稣的跟随者。它不是只给牧师、宣教士或所谓“专业人士”的。如果你认为门训是别人的责任，你就犯了“大抗命”的罪。耶稣命令我们所有人：“所以你们要去，使万民作我的门徒。”这是对我们每个人的呼召。如果你的领袖还不知道如何带领，不要坐着等待。你不需要许可去顺服耶稣。

归根结底，造就门徒并不难—因为耶稣与我们同在！他应许永远与我们同在，直到世界的末了。而且，这条路上充满了喜乐：当我们从“去教会的人”变为真正的门徒与门徒建造者，一切都不同了。我们的生命会融入耶稣亲自带领的运动，我们的故事成为他的故事。在这个旅程中，我们会收获深厚的友谊、持久的喜乐和永恒的使命。

腓立比书 1:21 说：“因我活着就是基督，我死了就有益处。” 死亡不是难处—对信徒来说，死反而更好，甚至比活容易。但关键不在我们怎样死，而在我们怎样活。真正的问题是：当我的时日到了，我将因何被记住？四年前，我没有明确的答案。今天我有了。我希望被记住为：一个门徒，一个门徒建造者。

做一个。带一个。

我能做到。你能做到。我们能做到。这是我们共同的使命。

我希望你可以徹底放鬆，在經歷了那麼多故事，家庭、教會、工作的⋯現在你們的生命裡積累了許多的雜質，無法純粹的被神使用，因此需要精煉和鍛造，不過這件事只有耶穌可以做到！我只是一個幫助你回爐的引路人、一個陪伴者。

如果你對現在的生活已經無計可施，為什麼不給自己一個機會，也給耶穌一個機會，用七天的時間為你寶貴的生命做一件事——「回爐」！

看看生命的方向盤在誰手中？
看看我們的神是否又真又活！

你不必拒絕，因為我不是邀請你的人，我是傳口信的人：

耶穌正在邀請你，進入祂的安息，祂的平安要在你的心裡作主，你願意接受嗎？

耶穌比你更重視你的生命，祂看你更為寶貴，祂賜給你那麼多年日來使用生命之劍，現在它磨損了、生鏽了，

需要回爐，精煉鍛燒、重塑再造。你可以有不同的選擇，但時間的車輪不會停止，你還有幾個七年呢？

嗨，朋友，醒醒吧！我不知道餘生還剩多少，你也一樣。

那麼，不要猶豫要不要，現在是換一個「活法」的時候，這不是一次度假的決定那麼容易，而是一次生命頻道的轉換，你願意接受耶穌的呼召嗎？

如果你接受，你必須：

放下一切纏累；
預備接受挑戰；
真誠敞開自己；
擁抱眼前機會！

朋友，這些話是寫給我自己的，也分享給你看看，也許有幫助。

我正在消除疲勞，恢復健康，假如你也有需要，就是「同路人」，希望在神的聖山上，與你一起遇見耶穌，餘生同行⋯

这些日子真是疯狂

让我们重新聚焦我们的心思意念、身体和关系，把注意力放在真正重要的事情上。
在这个黑暗、堕落的世界里，我们要坚持一些不一样的东西。山前团契（Trailhead Fellowship） 的使命，就是要培养在生命四个方面都坚强的基督弟兄和领袖：属灵、身体、关系和情感。

我们的目标是建立 MARVEL Men ——那些被带进神奇妙大爱的男人。
世界越疯狂，我们就越需要这样的 Marvel Men。事实上，先成为一个，再去带领一个，这是最高的重要事项，也是我们作为信徒在面对人生悲剧与困惑时最基本的生命步骤。
弟兄们，不要停留在这个世界的沮丧和无望里。要立志进入全人转化的过程。这正是耶稣的邀请——祂是人类历史上最伟大的革命者。

MARVEL 的过程
M.A.R.V.E.L. 不仅仅是一个名字——它是一条道路，一个过程，一种我们一起攀登人生高山的方式：

Maturing in Christ —— 在基督里成长：花时间认识耶稣，默想祂的话，爱祂，并被祂所爱。
Accepting our responsibilities —— 接受我们的责任：作为男人、丈夫、父亲、朋友和邻舍。
Rejecting passivity —— 拒绝消极：不在任何生命领域退缩，无论是属灵、身体、关系还是情感。
Victorious over temptations —— 得胜试探：胜过家中的怒气、色情、懒惰，或是每个人面对的独特试炼。有弟兄并肩同行，得胜是可能的。
Exercising regularly —— 经常操练：通过运动、营养、休息和健康的触碰来照顾我们的身体。
Loving and leading courageously —— 勇敢去爱和带领：这也许是最大的挑战。我们真的懂得如何去爱吗？我们的妻子会怎么说？我们的孩子会怎么说？

改变的呼召
在一个充满不健康的文化里，我们呼召基督弟兄过更健康、更有意向的生活：成为真正的耶稣门徒，并去造就门徒。最大的改变，不是来自我们去“改变世界”，而是来自我们内在的改变——然后把这种改变带进我们的家庭和朋友中间，也就是我们真实生活并影响的那个世界。

神更新一座城市的计划，往往是从祂的子民开始——成为光，成为爱。复兴从我们的心开始，然后进入我们的家庭，再进入教会。

耶稣自己并没有先去改革腐败的制度。祂走进几个尘土飞扬的小渔村，挑选了一群普通人——弟兄们——去建立新的事工。在接下来的几年里，祂颠覆了他们的生命。正因如此，今天我们才站在这里，成为信主的子民。耶稣的重点不是改造制度，而是复活人的灵魂，带来一场属灵的革命。

我们听到的挑战
我常常听到妻子的声音：“这些基督弟兄什么时候才会真正改变？”
我也常常听到孩子们的声音：“我的爸爸在家里和在教会里完全不一样。”
弟兄们，这对我们是何等的挑战！

然而，好消息是：在我们的弟兄群体里，已经有见证见证着男人们的改变——他们的妻子和孩子都看得见。神的祝福常常是从一个改变了的男人开始——一个丈夫、父亲和朋友。
那么，我们要成为怎样的人，来影响最亲近我们的人呢？

今天早晨我遇见的一位弟兄
今天在健身中心，我遇到一位27岁的年轻非洲裔美国弟兄，坐在前台，面前摊开着一本圣经。我问他在读什么。“以西结书！”他回答。那一聊就是一个小时。我们谈到人生、社会、家庭挣扎，以及在基督里的成长。他的生命并不轻松。有一次他说：“我尝试过为自己而活，但我明白我需要按神的方式而活。”

最后我问他，我可以怎样为他祷告。他的回答让我震撼：
“求神让我不要有刚硬、顽固的心，而是能听见神的信息并顺服祂。也求祂让我更多经历祂的怜悯，好让我能把怜悯带给那些需要从我这里得到的人。”

没有肤浅的请求，没有自我中心。他渴望的是转变。

这提醒我：即便在悲剧的日子里，最重要的问题不是“这个世界怎么了？”而是“我们要在这个世界里成为怎样的人？”

那就是我今天迈出的一步：去建立一个更美好的世界，并造就一个门徒。

弟兄们，我们的下一步
山前团契的弟兄们，让我们专注于最重要的事。努力在基督里成为最健康的男人。但请记住，你不能单独做到。你需要一群你深深信任的弟兄——一个四人门训小组，那些爱你、鼓励你、用神的恩典督促你，并与你同行的弟兄，好让你成为神创造你要成为的那个人。
当耶稣用祂奇妙的爱改变你时，你和你的弟兄们就能做到祂所吩咐的：Be one and make one。

These are crazy days. 

Let’s refocus our hearts, minds, bodies, and relationships on what truly matters.

In the midst of a dark and fallen world, we stand for something different. Trailhead Fellowship is about developing Christian brothers and leaders who are strong in four areas of life: spiritual, physical, relational, and emotional. Our goal is to build MARVEL Men -- men who have been led into the Marvelous Love of God. 

The crazier the world is, the more we need these kinds of Marvel Men. In fact becoming one and then making one is the matter of Highest Importance and provides the most basic steps for our lives as believers -- whenever we face the tragedies or confusion of life. 

Brothers, don't stay in the despondency of this world. Commit to the process of whole life transformation. This is the invitation of Jesus, the greatest revolutionary in the history of the world. 

The MARVEL Process
M.A.R.V.E.L. isn’t just a name—it’s a path, a process, a way of climbing life’s mountains together:

• Maturing in Christ — making time to know Jesus, meditate on His words, love Him, and be loved by Him.
• Accepting our responsibilities — as men, husbands, fathers, friends, and neighbors.
• Rejecting passivity — refusing to sit back in any area of life: spiritual, physical, relational, or emotional.
• Victorious over temptations — overcoming anger at home, pornography, laziness, or whatever trial each man faces. With brothers beside us, victory is possible.
• Exercising regularly — caring for our bodies with movement, nutrition, rest, and healthy touch.
• Loving and leading courageously — perhaps the greatest challenge. Do we truly know how to love? What would our wives say? What would our kids say?

A Call to Change
In a culture of unhealth, we call Christian men to live healthier, intentional lives: to become true disciples of Jesus and then go make disciples. The greatest difference will come not from changing "the world" we are in, but from us changing within—and bringing that change into our families and friendships--the world in which we actually life and influence.

Part of God’s plan to renew any city begins with His people—being light and love. Renewal starts in our hearts, then in our families, then in our churches.

Jesus Himself didn’t start by reforming a corrupt system. He went to small, dusty fishing towns and chose ordinary men—brothers—to build something new. Over the next several years, He turned their lives upside down. And because of them, we stand here today. Jesus isn’t about reforming systems; He’s about resurrecting souls who bring a spiritual revolution.

The Challenge We Hear
I’ve been hearing the voices of our wives: “When will these Christian brothers really change?” I’ve been hearing the voices of our kids: “My dad isn’t the same at home as he is in church.”

What a challenge to us!

Yet the good news is this: in our brotherhood we already have testimonies of men who have changed—and their wives and children notice. God’s blessing often begins with a changed man—a husband, father, and friend.

So, what kind of men will we be for those closest to us?

This Morning I Spoke to a Man
Today at the local fitness center, I met a young African American man, 27 years old, sitting at the front desk with a Bible wide open. I asked him what he was reading. “Ezekiel!” he said. That conversation lasted an hour. We talked about life, society, family struggles, and growth in Christ. His life has not been easy. At one point he said, “I tried living for myself. I learned I needed to live God’s way.”

At the end, I asked how I could pray for him. His response floored me:
“Pray that I won’t have a hard, stubborn heart, but that I can hear God’s message and obey Him. And pray that I may know more of God’s mercy—so I can show mercy to those who need it from me.”

No shallow requests. No self-focus. He wanted transformation.

It reminded me: even in times of tragedy, the first question is not “What’s wrong with the world?” but “What kind of men will we be in this world?”

That’s one step I took today to build a better world and make a disciple.

Brothers, Our Next Step

My brothers in Trailhead Fellowship, let’s focus on what matters most. Work to become the healthiest man you can be—in Christ. But you cannot do it alone. You need a group of men you deeply trust -- a discipleship group of four, bothers who love you, encourage you, hold you accountable with God’s grace, and walk with you as you become the man God designed you to be.

And as Jesus changes you with His Marvelous love, you—and your brothers—will be able to do what He commanded: Be one and make one.

这四个字改变了宇宙，也改变了我们的⽣命……神就是爱。

ὁ Θεὸς ἀγάπη ἐστίν
(ho Theos agapē estin)

圣经中有很多关于神品格的描述，⽐如祂的⽆所不知、⽆所不能、忍耐和慈爱——但只有极少数的经⽂，直接告诉我们神的本质是什么。

神的本质就是爱。

⽽这其中蕴含着⼀个极其有⼒的真理：既然我们是在基督⾥成为祂的⼉⼦，祂就把祂的爱——也就是祂⾃⼰——放在了我们⾥⾯。当我们彼此相爱时，神的爱就得以完全——因为祂的爱原本就是要从祂流向我们，再从我们流向他⼈——这样，我们就满有喜乐，神也向我们显明祂⾃⼰！

我们真的相信这个道理吗？

所以，每⼀个拥抱、每⼀次带着好奇⼼真正倾听的对话、每⼀个我们在⼀起彼此深⼊认识的时刻，都是天⽗在向我们显明祂是谁，也让我们看⻅我们是谁！

换句话说，我们不是“只靠”读圣经、去教会来认识神。我们在彼此相爱的过程中认识神！这才是我们在基督⾥团契的真正意义！

这是我们基督徒⽣命中⼀个极其重要、极其真实、极其宝贵的真理。

如果你上周在我们“奇妙男⼈”聚会中有任何感受，请你知道——那就是天⽗的爱！

所以，新约圣经的核⼼信息其实就是两件事：

第⼀，神的爱到底是什么；
第⼆，我们要如何回应耶稣的爱——先是尽⼼、尽性、尽⼒地爱祂，其次是彼此相爱。

基督徒的⽣命不是被设计成复杂、沉重、难以完成，或是让你精疲⼒尽的！那不是福⾳！

还记得主耶稣在最后的晚餐后、为⻔徒洗脚的那个夜晚所说的话吗？祂说：“⼈为朋友舍命，⼈的爱⼼没有⽐这个⼤的。”

但真正的真理是：我们必须先有朋友，才能为朋友舍命。

所以，建⽴友谊、彼此理解、彼此认识、并感受到弟兄之间真实的情谊——这是我们可以做的最基本的事情之⼀，来紧紧跟随耶稣，活在祂⾥⾯，遵⾏神的旨意，更深地认识祂，并更加地爱祂。

这不是太奇妙了吗？

我渴望像耶稣那样去爱。我渴望像耶稣爱⻔徒那样去爱弟兄。但这不是空想，我也意识到耶稣花时间去认识他们。祂不仅知道他们的名字，也知道他们渴望什么、爱什么、害怕什么；祂知道他们的软弱，也知道他们会因为什么⽽跌倒；祂知道什么会使他们愤怒或嫉妒。

耶稣知道这⼀切，是因为祂与他们⼀同⽣活。祂为他们祷告，也和他们⼀起祷告。祂与他们同⾏、吃⽆数顿饭，也⼀同服事。他们的⽣活是⼀起度过的，这是⼀种爱的⾏动，⽽不是⼀种责任。

他们不是同⼯⽽已，⽽是祂极其深厚的弟兄。

所以，我想问我⾃⼰，也问你⼀个问题：
“你愿意为谁舍命？”

还有⼀个问题，我最近⼀直在思考：“如果你某天去世，谁会出现在你的葬礼上，说你是多么地爱他们？” 我也在想，到那天，谁会抬着我的棺材？

但让我们把这⼀切拉回到你我每天的⽣活。
你跟谁⼀起欢笑？
你把你的伤⼼与谁分享？

所以，这是⼀点点挑战，也是⼀点⿎励，提醒我们继续真实地成为“漫威男⼈”。

还记得 MARVEL 的“L”代表什么吗？
它代表“勇敢地去爱和领导”！

我想不出⼈⽣中还有什么⽐这更重要的事了！你能想到吗？

这正是我们的主耶稣、我们的朋友所盼望我们去做的。这将带给我们深深的喜乐。藉着这样的爱，祂也应许要向我们显明祂⾃⼰。

“我们爱，因为神先爱我们。”
（约翰⼀书 4:19）

“我赐给你们⼀条新命令，乃是叫你们彼此相爱。我怎样爱你们，你们也要怎样相爱。你们若有彼此相爱的⼼，众⼈因此就认出你们是我的⻔徒了。”
（约翰福⾳ 13:34-35）

“有了我的命令⼜遵守的，这⼈就是爱我的。爱我的必蒙我⽗爱他，我也要爱他，并且要向他显现。”
（约翰福⾳ 14:21）

真理很清晰：

祂先爱我们，
然后藉着圣灵将祂的爱（就是祂⾃⼰）浇灌在我们⼼⾥。
于是我们就可以真诚地从⼼⾥去爱⼈——正如彼得所说的那样。

弟兄们，我爱你们。

继续勇敢地去彼此相爱吧！

——胡教练（Coach Hoover）

The three words that change the universe and change our lives… God is love.

ὁ Θεὸς ἀγάπη ἐστίν
(ho Theos agapē estin)

Although the Bible gives us many descriptive statements about God’s character— such as His omniscience, omnipotence, patience, and kindness—there are only a few places where the Bible directly tells us what the essence of God is.

The essence of God is love.

And the powerful truth is this: He has put His love—His very person—inside each of us, since we are His sons in Jesus. And when we love one another, God’s love is made complete—because it wants to flow from Him to us, and from us to others. As this happens, we are filled with joy, and God reveals more of Himself to us!

Do we really believe that?

So every embrace, every conversation where we truly listen with curiosity, every hour we spend together knowing each other more deeply—is God the Father showing us more of who He really is and who we really are!

In other words, we don’t get to know God only by reading the Bible or going to church. We get to know God in the process of loving one another. And that is the true meaning of our fellowship in Christ and in His church.

This is a huge, huge, huge truth for our Christian life.

If you felt anything last week when we were together as Marvel Men, as Marvel brothers, please know—it was the Father’s love!

Much of the New Testament is simply about two things:

1. What God’s love really is
2. How we can respond to the love of Jesus—first by loving Him with all our heart, soul, and strength, and second by loving one another.

The Christian life was not designed to be complicated, burdensome, or impossible. It is not something that makes you tired. That is not the gospel!

Remember Jesus’s words on His final night—after the Last Supper and after washing their feet? He said the greatest form of love is to lay down your life for your friend.

Here is the real truth: We must have friends first before we can lay down our life for one of them.

So, building friendships, understanding and knowing one another, and feeling brotherly affection for each other—this is one of the first things we can do to stay close to Jesus, to live in Him, to obey God, and to know and love Him more.

Isn’t that incredible? 

I want to love like Jesus. I want to love brothers like Jesus loved them. But it is not wishful thinking. I realize Jesus took time to know them. He not only knew their names, He knew what they desired, loved, and feared. He knew their weaknesses and what would cause them to fail. He knew what made them angry or envious.

He knew these things because He spent time with them. He prayed with them and for them. He walked with them, ate many meals with them, and He served in ministry alongside them. He did life together with them as an act of love—not out of duty.

They were not just coworkers. They were His deep, deep brothers.

So a question for me and for you is:

“Who would you lay your life down for?”

And another one I have been asking myself lately is: “Who would come to your funeral and talk about how much you loved them?” I have also wondered: “Who would carry my coffin that day?”

But let’s bring it down to daily life—your daily life.

Who do you laugh with?
And who do you share your sadness with?

So this is a little bit of a challenge and encouragement for us to continue to be true Marvel Men.

Remember the “L” in MARVEL?

It stands for: “LOVE AND LEAD COURAGEOUSLY!”

I can’t think of anything more important in life than that. Can you?

It’s what our Jesus—our Lord and Friend—wants us to do. It will bring us deep joy.

And by it, we will know God more, because He said He would show Himself to us.

“We love because He first loved us.” 
— 1 John 4:19

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” 
— John 13:34–35

“Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
— John 14:21

So there it is — in pure logical order:

He loves us first.
He then pours His love (Himself) into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
Then, we love others—deeply from the heart. (Peter’s words)

I love you guys.

Keep pursuing loving one another courageously.

— Coach Hoover

今晨，我感受到温暖
胡牧 2025年复活节

今晨，我感受到温暖。那些清凉、清新、冰冻的早晨，总是唤醒你，大声地说：“早安！”在这片土地上，它们持续数月，直到地球缓缓倾斜，重新迎向能改变大地的阳光。

今晨，我感受到温暖。寒意的消失显得有些陌生，仿佛一个住了半年的人突然离开了你的家。刹那之间，变得格外安静、私密、亲切。你再次开始重新发现你家中的一切. 

今天的温暖来得出人意料。早上八点，我走出家门，忽然感到不同——温暖、舒适、安静，一种令人惊喜的放松感轻轻抚慰着我。

今晨，我感受到温暖。它像是来自上帝的阳光之爱，把我整个人包围起来。

漫长的冬天已经过去，花朵也在此刻盛开。很快，树叶会绽放，蓝天将勾勒出白云和翠绿的树冠。孩子们会骑着自行车，在公园里嬉戏玩耍。生活又会像七月四日的野餐那般轻快喜乐。六十度的温度仿佛是八十度，肌肤也感到惊喜。我们需要帽子和太阳镜。

走路成了双眼的盛宴——胖胖的蜜蜂、欢快的鸟儿、绚烂的花朵和快乐的小狗点缀着通往公园的小径，给每个人带来笑容。

冬天本身是壮丽、强大而美丽的。它用一种令人敬畏的寂静覆盖万物，让人们不得不回到屋里寻找温暖。

生活在这样的冬天里，人会变得更坚韧、更有韧性，也更清楚地意识到——我们其实并不强大。但随着时间流转，人不禁会问：春天是否就在不远处？

生命就是如此。

试炼可以漫长、艰辛、似乎没有尽头，使你不得不抵抗眼前的生活。那就是寒冬的风。

许多个月来，你望着窗外，想象冬天过后的人生会是什么模样。但雪又再次降临。

直到有一天，阳光出现了。再过一天，温暖也来了。又过一天，你正走在去公园的路上。

生命就是如此。

对于基督来说，那一周是悲剧而哀伤的。他没有隐藏自己的情感，坦然地说：“我心里甚是忧伤，几乎要死。”

他预备了最后的晚餐，为门徒洗脚，掰饼倒酒，讲述爱与友谊。

然后他被强行带走，在一个地方，他们以暴力的方式结束了他的肉体生命。

他的朋友、母亲、亲兄弟都流下了泪。那不公义，令人哑口无言。

然而，在我们还未明白之时，那场“冬天”成了我们的救赎。

几日之后——复活临到了。
神的儿子复活了。
新生命来临了。
希望显现了。

喜乐的泪水盈满他们的眼眶。怀疑化作紧紧的拥抱。耶稣活着！

我们在那天早晨感受到温暖。我们这些人类，得到了光明、希望，以及对死亡的胜利。

黑暗属于死亡，光明属于生命。
春天属于花朵。

我们的安慰已经来到，新生命已经开始。

这天是受难日，我打开门走出家门，看见冬天正被风吹散，春天正在接管一切。

神的国度正在前进——它从我们的内心开始。

就像走入阳光、走入温暖带给我灵魂的滋养一样，当我们来到祂面前，我们得着真正的生命。

主日来了，主日正来，主日永不离开。

今晨，我感受到祂的温暖。

I Felt the Warmth on This Morn
Brent Hoover, Easter 2025

I felt the warmth on this morn!

Those cool, crisp, frozen morns wake you up and shout "Hello!"
They make you feel full-alive with the call of day!
And in this land of Michigan... they last for months and months... while the Earth slowly tilts to where the rays of sun can change the land.

But I felt the warmth on THIS morn.

It was strange! -- to have the cold disappear
like someone's left your home who stayed half the year.
Once they're gone it's quiet again.
And you discover your home again.

Today, the warmth came in a surprising way.
At 8 AM as I walked out the door
I suddenly felt different—warm, comfortable, quiet… soothed by a surprising sense that all is well in the world.

I felt the warmth on this morn.
And like sun-rays of love from God, it just surrounded me, surrounded me.

The long winter's gone, the flowers are here.
Soon leaves will pop, and the blue sky will outline
white clouds and canopies of green.
Children on bikes will play at the parks.
And life will feel like a picnic again, on the 4th of July.

60° feels like 80°, my skin knows it too.
We need the hat and sunglasses.
Walking is a festival for the eyes,
as bumblebees, birds, flowers and dogs
decorate the path to the park
and bring smiles to everyone.

Winters are awesome and powerful -- beautiful in their own right.
They cover all with an awesome hush of silence,
and force everyone to go inside for warmth.

Living in one makes people tougher and resilient,
and aware that we are actually not strong.

But as the months go on, one wonders if Spring will come, or has it forgotten?

Life is like that.

Trials can be long and hard and feel unending,
and cause you to brace against the life you’re facing.
That’s the cold winter wind.

And for many months, you stare out the window,
wondering what life would be like after winter.
But then another snow comes.

Then, one day, the sun appears.
Then another day the warmth arrives.
Then another day comes, and you’re walking to the park.

Life is like that.

For Christ, the week that Spring was tragic and sad
and He did not hide His deep emotions.
He told them plainly, “My heart is full of sorrow!" 

He prepared the last meal.
He washed their feet.
He broke the bread and poured the wine
and spoke of love and friendship.

Then He was dragged against His will to a place
where they ended His physical life in a violent way.

Tears flowed on the faces of all His friends,
His mother His half-brothers too.
The injustice was unspeakable.
Yet unbeknownst to us,
the horror of that winter was our redemption.

And days later—the resurrection.

The Son arose.
New life came.
Hope was seen.
Tears of joy filled their faces.
Unbelief turned to embraces.
Jesus alive!

We felt the warmth on that morn—
Human beings, all of us, given light and life,
hope and victory over death.

Darkness is for the dead.
Light is for the living.
Spring is for the flowers.
Our comfort has come.
New life has begun.

I opened the door and walked outside on Good Friday,
and I saw the winter being blown away,
and I felt Spring taking everything.

The kingdom of God is advancing—
and it starts with our own hearts.

Just like a walk into the warmth
and toward the light
gives my soul what I need,
so the same when we come to Him.

Sunday is here.
Sunday is coming.
Sunday will never pass.

I felt His warmth on this morn.

关于情绪起伏的反思——写给我的T4小组弟兄们

T4是我们四个弟兄组成的小组，名字的由来是我们四人在一个帐篷（Tent）里——“T”代表帐篷。这个小组是专为牧者设立的一个属灵同行小组，目的是帮助我们成为更加真实、更加健康的弟兄。我所在的小组成员是Simon、Larry、祖兴，还有我自己。我们已经一起走了两年半，每周向彼此敞开心扉，分享我们真实的生命旅程。

以下是我刚刚发给他们的一段简短反思：

弟兄们，

昨天我去健身房做了力量训练，感觉太棒了！今天全身酸痛，但这是件好事。

我很感恩，我们的T4小组帮助我们持续走在正轨上——身体上、属灵上、人际关系上、情感上。

这并不是关于某一个感动人心的瞬间，或某个巨大的属灵胜利，而是关于每天稳定地前行，持续地走下去，以及那些看起来微不足道的“小得胜”。

许多小得胜，累积起来，就是一个伟大的得胜。

这周我情绪上有些起伏，但身体锻炼帮了我很大忙。友情也帮助了我。读神的话语也带来了力量。

我越来越觉得，在神面前、在自己面前、在朋友面前，情绪上的诚实是非常重要的。

当然，我们不是让情绪来引导我们的人生，也不会单凭情绪来做重大决定。

但情绪却像是神在我们里面设立的一种内在评估与提醒机制。

它们在告诉我们：内心有事正在发生，我们要留心。

弟兄们，我很感恩我们一起走在这条路上。我不想没有你们而独自前行。我爱你们。

Brent

我想把这段分享给所有Trailhead Fellowship的弟兄们，只是想让大家看到：我们之间可以有这样真实的沟通——关于真实情绪起伏的沟通。

这正是我们彼此关系加深的方式之一。

如果你目前还没有一个每周可以敞开心扉、一起成长的小组，我鼓励你开始认真思考加入一个。这个小组不仅是情感的支持，更是我们身体、灵命、关系各方面成长的地方。

如果你愿意加入这样的弟兄小组，请告诉我们。也许我们可以帮你找到一个同样渴望同行的弟兄。

当然，如果能找到本地的弟兄是最理想的。但我们也希望透过这个团契，帮助弟兄们跨越地域，在不同的州找到属灵的伙伴，一起成为更真实、更健康的男人。

由于我们住在四个不同的州，所以每周的会议都是线上的。但我们承诺每年都会见面几天。这些照片就是我们在一起的照片。我们觉得这种面对面的交流非常重要。它让我们的线上时光更加真实。没有什么比真正在一起待上几天，聊聊生活更美好的了。这真是活法儿!